System of distribution for electric railways.



nm o b. e F d nu .1. n nu t a, DI .N. A M DI A H C w 2m 8 2li 3 4 6 nn N SYSTEM 0F DISTRIBUTION FOR ELECTRIC RILWAYS'.

(Application filed May 16, 1896.)

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

III IIII VIITWW H IIIIIII Afro/MEI.

No. 643,283. Patented Feb. ls, |900.

w. CHAPMAN.

SYSTEM UF DISTR/IBUTION FR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

(Application led May 16, 1896,)

ATTH/VEY.

4F'lftl'lted Feb. I3, |900. W. CHAPMAN.

SYSTEM 0F DISTRIBUTIUN FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

(Apblcation filed May 16, 1896.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

. No Model.)

CIESSES:

Znx/z/ me mams Fin-.ns no, PHoT-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. u. c.

A'lrnNr 'WILLIAM CHAPMAN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OFCOLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO TI-IE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC TRACTION COMPANY, OF WEST VIRGINIA.

SYSTEM OF-DISTRIBUTION FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,283, dated February 13, 1900. Application filed May 16| 1896. Serial No. 591,751. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, t may concern.:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM CHAPMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing in Washington, in the District of Columbia,'have invented a new and useful Improvement in Systems of Distribution for Electric Railways, (Case No. 701,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to systems of distribution for electric railways, and more particularly to the system shown and described in the Patents Nos. 524,773 and 534,233, granted to Malone Wheless on August 31, 1894, and February l2, 1895, respectively.

The object of my invention is to provide a system embodying a plurality of supplymains or main feeders and corresponding subfeeders and simple, durable, and efficient means whereby anyone or more of such supply-mains and subfeeders may be readily included in circuit with the motors or cut out of such circuit in whole or in part, according to the requirements of the system at any particular time.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in plan view a portion of a system equipped with my improvements, the covers of the switch or subsidiary junction-boxes and pans and of the main junction-boxes and pans being removed. Fig. 2 is a diagram of circuits arranged for ground-return, and Fig. 3 is a similar diagram of the system arranged for a complete metallic circuit. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of one of the junctionbox pans and its bell or cover. Figs. 5 and 6 are plan and side views, respectively, of one form of connector; and Figs. 7 and 8 are corresponding views of another form of connector.

Reference being now had to the details illustrated inthe drawings, 1 and 2 are insulated supply-mains or main feeders, and 3 and 4 are subieeders. It is obvious that the number of subfeeders and the number of main feeders may be varied from what is shown, if desired; but ordinarily this number will be satisfactory when the earth is utilized as the return-conductor for the circuit.

5 are switch or subsidiary junction-boxes, each of which contains a switch-pan 6. The

covers or bells of these switch-pans, which carry the automatic switches for connecting the subfeeders in circuitwith the car-motors as the car passes along the track, are not shown and need not be described, since they form no part of the present invention and are shown, described, and claimed in my Patent No. 560,471, granted May 19, 1896. These boxes 5 will be located at suitable intervals along the road and preferably alongside the tracks. Each of the switch-pans 6 is provided with a central compartment 7 for the reception of insulating material and an outer channel 8 for the reception of insulating and moisture-repelling liquid. The bottom of the compartment 7 is provided with two oblong recesses 9, in the bottom of each of which are two openings. The ends of the sections of subfeeders 3 and 4 project through these openings. The bottom of each compartment 7 is also provided with two circular recesses 12 and 13, the bottoms of which have openings through which the ends of contact-feeders 14 and 15 project. These contact-feeders 14 and 15 lead to the contact-pins in the roadway.

16, 17, and 13 are split-pin terminals, with which cooperating socketterminals in the bell or cover (not shown) engage. The terminal 17 is connected with the ends of the adjacent sections of either subfeeder 3 or subfeeder 4 by means of a connector 19. (Shown most clearly in Figs. 7 and 8'.) This connector is provided near one end with an opening 2O for the reception of the split-pin terminal and is clamped to the terminal by means of a bolt 21. This connector is provided. at its other end with a two-part head 22 and with a thumb-screw 23 for clamping the ends of the feeder-sections between the two parts of the head. As will be readily seen,this connector may be turned upon the pin 17 as a center to connect either of the subfeeders 3 and 4 therewith.

The terminal 16 is connected with contactfeeder 14 and the terminal 18 with contactfeeder 15 by means of a connector 24. (See Figs. 5 and 6.) This form of connector is provided wiuth an opening 2O and a clampingbolt 21 like the corresponding parts of connector 19. The opposite end, however, has a IOO single opening 25for the reception of the end of a conductor and is provided with bindingscrews 26.

Located at comparatively widely separated intervals are main junction-boxes 27, one only of which is shown in the drawings. Each of these boxes contains a junction-pan 28 and a similar pan 29 for the reception of a circuitbreaker. The junction-pan and its bell or cover are the same in construction, except as regards the number and location of the terminals and connectors, as the corresponding parts ofthe switch-pan,above described. This pan contains six split-pin terminals,'(designated, respectively, as 30, 30, 30h, 30C, 30, and 30e.) Terminal 30 is connected to adjacent ends of feeder 3, terminal 30 to adjacent ends of feeder 4, terminal 30d to adjacent ends of supply-main 1, and terminal 30 to adjacent ends of the second supply-main 2 by means of connectors 19 like that shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Terminals 30b and 30C are respectively connected to the ends ot" conductors 33 and 34, which lead to the circuit-breaker terminals by means of connectors 24 like that shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

In order to make such connection between the terminals in the junction-pans as to permit of the utilization of the circuit-breaker and either main feeder in connection with whichever subfeeder is connected in the motor-circuit, I provide a flexible coupling 35. (See Fig. 4.) This coupling consists of two socket-heads 36, provided with insulatingcoverings 37 and connected by a flexible conductor 38, this conductor being of such length as to permit of the coupling together of terminalpins which are different distances apart. By the employment of a suflicient number of these coupling devices either of the supply mains or main feeders may be connected up to the subt'eeder, which is included in the motor-circuit, so that it either of the supplymains should become disabled it may be readily cut out,or any section of it maybe cut out of circuit Without interruption ofthe traflic. It Will also be understood that the connecting devices may be so constructed and arranged as to connect both supply-mains and both subfeeders in circuitat onetime, if desired.

In order to avoid confusion, the switches which engage and cooperate with the switchpan terminal pins 16, 17, and 18 and the ilexible couplings which are employed in connection with the junction-pan terminal pins 30, 30, 30h, 30G, 30d, and 30e are not shown in Fig. 1. The preferred construction of the switch is, however, shown in my Patent No. 560,471, hereinbefore referred to, and the construction of the flexible couplings is shown in Fig. 4.

The circuits and connections of the system are indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 2, in which 46 is a dynamo for supplying current to the supply-mains 1 and 2, the negative brush of which is grounded through the trackrails 40.

41 are disconnected roadway-contacts for the auxiliary or pick-up circuit, and 4l are similar contacts for the circuit through which the motor-actuating current is derived.

It current is to be derived from the supplymain 1, pins 30h and 30d will be connected by means of a flexible coupling 35, as indicated by the broken and dotted line, and either the pins 30 and 30C or the pins 30a and 30C Will be connected by such a coupling, according to which of the feeders 3 and 4 is to be utilized. If the main 2 is to be utilized, the pins 3()b and 30e will be coupled together. In any case the circuitwill be completed through the circuitbreaker by means of the conductors 33 and 34, which connect its respective terminals with pins 30b and 30C. Instead of using one su pply-main and one subfeeder at a time it is obvious that both mains and both subfeeders may be employed together, if desired.

'With the connector 19 in the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 the current will be derived from subfeeder 4 and will pass from pin 17 through the switch to pin 18,and thence to roadway-contact 41a. It will be understood that the connector 19 may bemoved to connect subfeeder 3 with pin 17 or a double connection may be made, whereby current may be derived from both subfeeders at the same time.

The auxiliary current derived from a battery or othersuitable source and transmitted to and through the contacts 41 passes by the conductor 14 to pin 16, through the auxiliary coil of the switch to pin 18, and thence by conductor 15 to contacts 4l, as is usual in the system to which my invention pertains.

In the system shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3 the several parts shown in Fig. 2 are reproduced as regards both structure and arrangement. In this igure, however, I have shown a return-supply conductor 42, areturnsubfeeder 43, and return-contacts 41h. The latter are connected to switch-pins 45 by means of conductors 47, and corresponding pins 45u are connected to the return-conductor 43. These pins 45 and 45a are electrically connected by any suitable means, as indicated by the broken line.

The conductors 42 and 43 are respectively connected to pins 44 and 44n in the junctionbox, and the said pins are electrically connected, asindicated by the broken line.

I desire it to be understood that my invention is not limited to any specific number of main feeders or subfeeders or lo any specilic forms of connecting devices.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of the disconnected` contacts, a junction box opposite each disconnected contact, a subfeeder normally continuous throughout its length, but composed of a plurality of sections connected together within said junction-boxes, and a contactfeeder connected in each junction-box to the subfeeder and terminating at its other end at the corresponding disconnected contact.

IOO

IIO

IZO

2. In an electric-railway system the combination of the main feeders and the sectional subfeeders, the main junction-boxes and the subsidiary junction-boxes, the disconnected contact-sections, the contact-feeders feeding the said contact-sections, connections within the subsidiary junctionboXes between the contact-feeders and the subfeeders and between sections of the latter, and connections within the main junction-box between the main and sub feeders.

3. The combination with the disconnected contact-sections of an electric railway of the subsidiary junction-boxes, one beside each disconnected contact,feeders passing through said subsidiary junction-boxes, and a short contact-feeder connected thereto and leading from within the said box to the disconnected contact beside the same.

t. An electric-railway system comprising the combination with the main source of supply and the return-circuit connected therewith, of a plurality of main feeders also connected therewith, a plurality of subfeeders, main j unction-boXes dividing the system into a plurality of divisions, connections within each main junction-box between the main feeder and the subfeeder for the particular division, subsidiary junction-boxes between the main junction-boxes and a disconnected contact beside each of the same, and a connection within each subsidiary junction-box between sections of the subfeeder and between the same and a contact-feeder leading to a disconnected contact.

5. The combination of main feeders, subfeeders normally continuous throughout their length but composed of a plurality of sections connected together, said subfeeders being connected to the main feeders, contact-feeders connected to the subfeeder, and a disconnected contact connected to each contact-feeder.

6. The combination of disconnected contacts, subsidiary junction-boxes, a contactfeeder extending from each subsidiary junction-box to a disconnected contact, a subfeeder passing through a plurality of said subsidiary junction boxes and connected therein to the contact-feeder leading froml the same, main junction-boxes and a main feeder connected within said main junctionboxes to the said subfeeder.

7. A system of distribution for electric railways comprising a plurality of underground supply-mains or main feeders, a corresponding number of underground subfeeders, junction-boxes located at intervals along the line and provided with means for connecting and disconnecting the individual supply-mains and the corresponding subfeeders at will, roadway-contacts and contact-feeders connecting the same with the subfeeders.

S. A system of distribution for electric railways comprising two underground supplymains or main feeders and two underground subfeeders, j unction-boXes located at intervals along the line and provided with devices for connecting either or both of said supplymains with the corresponding subfeeders, roadwaycontacts and contact-feeders, and automatic switches for making connection between the live subfeeder and the corresponding contact-feeder.

9. A system of distribution for electric railways comprising two underground main feeders, corresponding underground subfeeders, roadway-contacts, contact-feeders, switches for connecting either of said subfeeders with a corresponding contactfeeder, junctionboxes, and iieXible couplings in said junctionboxes for connecting either of said subfeeders with the main feeder or feeders.

lO. In a system of distribution for electric railways, a plurality of underground supplymains or main feeders and a plurality of subfeeders in sections the ends of which are provided with split-pin terminals, in combination with a pair of socket-pieces for engagement with any two of said split-pin terminala, said socket-pieces being provided with insulatingcoverings and connected by an insulated`flexible conductor.

ll. In a system of distribution for electricv railways, the combination with underground su pply-mains or main feeders and subfeeders, of junction boxes provided with terminal pins, and flexible coupling devices, for electrically connecting said terminal pins, roadway-contacts, contact-feeders and subsidiary junction-boxes containing means for connecting said subfeed ers with said contact-feeders.

12. A system of distribution for electric railways comprising two underground supplymains or main feeders, two underground subfeeders, main junction-boxes, means located therein for connecting either of said main feeders with either of said subfeeders, roadway-contacts, contact-feeders and subsidiary junction-boxes containing means for connecting said con tact-feeders with said subfeeders.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 23d day of April, A. D. ISQG.

WILLIAM CHAPMAN. Witnesses:

WESLEY G. CARR, HUBERT C. TENER.

IOO 

